Manchester, England’s famous “second city,” has plenty to offer. From incredible employment opportunities and business prospects to attractive real estate and an inviting community life, the city delivers on all fronts.
The northbound metropolis is saturated with rich history and seismic cultural moments. Hailed as the birthplace of the industrial revolution and the suffragette movement, Manchester played a major role in revolutionising Britain and the world at large.
As the UK's second largest economy, Manchester continues to significantly impact the country, generating a GVA of £78.7 billion. Home to Manchester University and flourishing manufacturing, creative media, technology, and finance sectors, the city boasts immense intellectual capital, making Manchester a fertile landscape for myriad businesses. The city’s job market is also known for offering handsome pay raises, guaranteeing a high standard of living.
TimeOut called Manchester the third-best city in the world in 2021, and Numbeo’s findings reflect the city’s enviable quality of life in the realms of purchasing power, healthcare, and real estate quality. Read on to discover the nicest areas to live in Manchester.
Bowdon
Bowdon is a highly exclusive residential suburb tucked away in the moneyed borough of Trafford. A paragon of decadence, the neighbourhood brims with multimillion-pound mansions, upscale eateries, and beautifully manicured parklands.
The development of Bowdon into a residential enclave began in the 19th century and soon blossomed into a prestigious locale due to “merchant princes building big houses” in the area. It has continued to evolve over the century and is still one of Manchester’s prime localities.
Bowdon hosts two grammar schools known for their high calibre of education and competitive admission processes. There’s also a miscellany of leisure venues, including boutiques, retail stores, yoga studios, tennis clubs, and high-end pubs. The nearby Dunham Massey, with its undulating green fields and deer park, treats Bowdon residents to fresh air and outdoor adventures.
Catherine Road is the area’s most expensive street, with homes here averaging at £1.2 million. In Bowdon, flats typically cost around £400,000, terraced homes are worth about £575,000, and detached properties can cost as much as £1.9 million.
Hale Barns
Located about 40 minutes from Manchester City Centre, Hale Barns is a charming village renowned for its elevated country living. Avenues lined with exquisite family mansions, bosky cul-de-sacs, and high streets thronging with luxury recreational venues characterise Hale Barns. Residents here enjoy the charm of period residences and the convenience of technologically advanced amenities.
The region turned from an agricultural land to a commuter settlement in the 18th and 19th centuries, which sparked the evolution of Hale Barns into an affluent locale.
Tucked away from the urban bustle of the main city, Hale residents can revel in their close-knit community life – there are local cricket, golf, tennis, football, and bowling clubs. With several reputed primary schools to boot, Hale Barns creates a delightful homestead for families. Premiere restaurants, such as celebrity chef Simon Rimmer’s “Earle,” and luxe salons provide spoiling comfort in the rustic neighbourhood.
Hale Barns is a star-studded locale, home to footballers Paul Pogba and Raheem Sterling among others. The average price of a home in Hale Barns is £800,000, with detached properties raking in nearly £1 million.
Spinningfields
Spinningfields is a new £1.5 billion development in Manchester, constructed on the banks of the River Irwell. The 430,000 square-metre enclave hosts 20 buildings, all encompassing an array of residences, retail stores, and commercial spaces.
Allied London Properties conceptualised the development with the vision of establishing a major business district that would embody Manchester’s prime corporate dynamism and vibrant social scene. The locale brims with affluence and commercial promise, presenting flagship stores of brands like Emporio Armani and Mulberry, as well as major corporations like Deloitte and Regus.
Spinningfields is also a global gastronomic haven showcasing a wide range of cuisines – residents here are treated to Chinese, Indian, Spanish, and English restaurants among others. This glamorous district spotlights Manchester’s rich history – the legendary John Rylands Library and the People’s History Museum are located here.
Residences in Spinningfields are all modern builds with minimalist, contemporary finishes, featuring sleek furnishings, glass facades, and muted colour palettes. On average, houses here can cost between £240,000 and £2 million.
Didsbury
Located on the northern bank of the River Mersey, Didsbury is another star-dusted suburb in Manchester. Formerly a rural hamlet dating to the 13th century, Didsbury evolved into a developed, prosperous settlement after the industrial revolution.
Lined with sophisticated Victorian homes and ritzy contemporary builds, Didsbury’s streets are incredibly postcard-worthy. The elegant neighbourhood abounds with indulgent recreational venues and quality infrastructure. Highly sought-after primary and secondary schools are located in the eastern part of Didsbury, while the heart of the neighbourhood comprises award-winning restaurants, lavish salons, clubs, and state-of-the-art fitness centres. Residents can enjoy fresh air and verdant vistas in Didsbury’s promenades and flower-carpeted public parks. The neighbourhood also boasts an eventful social scene, hosting festivals like the Didsbury Beer Festival, Didsbury Arts Festival, and WestFest.
The average price of a home in Didsbury is £390,000, while detached properties can command around £1.8 million.
Worsley
Worsley is a quaint village on the fringes of Manchester, located by the Worsley Brook. Admired by natives and tourists alike for its bucolic charm and faux Tudor buildings, Worsley is an enchanting locale. The region has been rich in coal mines since the 14th century, which led to its soaring affluence in the 19th century during the industrial revolution.
Bounded by Worsley Woods and the Clifton and Blackleach Country parks, Worsley is a vivid nature retreat. Abounding with wildlife and rare plant species, residents are guaranteed memorable outdoor adventures. The Bridgewater Canal – which was built over the River Irwell in the 18th century to transport coal to other parts of Manchester – is not only a handsome structure but also a significant fragment of the city’s history. A range of primary schools and independent institutions are also located in the village, forging an incredible family-oriented lifestyle.
Worsley is home to Leigh Road, which is Manchester’s very own Millionaire’s Row. Lined with grand detached properties and beautifully groomed gardens, this minted street serves its residents an enviable blend of woodland intrigue and modern leisure.
Homes in Worsely typically cost around £468,000, with Leigh Road hosting properties worth more than £1 million.
Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter is Manchester’s bohemian paradise, characterised by street art, quirky cafes, independent stores, and trendy fiestas. Dating to Roman times, like most of Manchester, the Northern Quarter underwent a major transformation after the industrial revolution, when the city became a global cotton capital. The region overcame profound socio-economic deprivation and became a haunt for progressive values and niche artforms.
The Northern Quarter is full of character, with fascinating lore and intriguing landmarks lurking in every corner. A walk around the neighbourhood will reveal thought-provoking and whimsical gems such as the Kraak Gallery, the National Football Museum, the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, and assemblages of local restaurants. Colourful buildings, graffiti-ridden walls, and quirky thrift stores throng the streets. TimeOut called the Northern Quarter “Manchester’s coolest neighbourhood.”
With a strong creative pulse and legendary nightlife, the Northern Quarter is an exciting place to live in, particularly for young adults and students.
The average price of a property in the Northern Quarter is £240,000.
From the sophistication of Bowdon to the free spirit of the Northern Quarter, these are some of the nicest areas to live in Manchester. The city embodies Britain’s unique harmony between traditional values and modern glamour. With a soaring economy, commercial prospects, and a strong sense of community, residents are treated to a high quality of life in Manchester.
